Block copolyacetals, preparation thereof and use thereof in detergents and cleaners

Abstract

There are described block copolyacetals obtainable by cationically initiated polyaddition of (A) polyacetals containing acetaldehyde acetal units and having at least 2 OH groups in the molecule and (B) polyacetals containing acetaldehyde acetal units and having at least 2 vinyl ether groups in the molecule. in a molar ratio of (A):(B) of from 2:1 to 1:2, processes for preparing the block copolyacetals by cationically initiated polyaddition of (A) and (B), and the use of the block polyacetals as additament to reduced-phosphate and phosphate-free detergents and cleaners and as low-foam surfactants in dishwashing compositions.

We claim: 
     
       1. Block copolyacetals, obtained by cationically initiated polyaddition of (A) polyacetals containing acetaldehyde acetal units and having at least 2 OH groups in the molecule and   (B) polyacetals containing acetaldehyde acetal units and having at least 2 vinyl ether groups in the molecule, in a molar ratio of the OH groups in the polyacetals (A) to the vinyl ether groups in the polyacetals (B) of from 2:1 to 1:2.     
     
     
       2. A process for preparing block copolyacetals, which comprises subjecting (A) polyacetals containing acetaldehyde acetal units and having at least 2 OH groups in the molecule and   (B) polyacetals containing acetaldehyde acetal units and having at least 2 vinyl ether groups in the molecule to a cationically initiated polyaddition in a molar ratio of the OH groups in the polyacetals (A) to the vinyl ether groups in the polyacetals (B) of from 2:1 to 1:2.   
     
     
       3. A reduced-phosphate detergent composition comprising the block copolyacetals of claim 1 and a detergent. 
     
     
       4. A phosphate-free detergent composition comprising the block copolyacetals of claim 1 and a detergent. 
     
     
       5. A dishwashing composition, comprising the block copolyacetals of claim 1 and a surfactant.